Highlights of the event
On 1 and 2 October, the European Commission (EC), the European Investment Bank (EIB), and the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) co-hosted the seventh annual Capital Markets Seminar.
Taking place in Luxembourg and streamed online for registered participants, the event attracted a record 500 capital market participants including investors, financial intermediaries, issuers and policymakers.
This year’s seminar focused on the choices that Europe faces at the current geoeconomic crossroads and the role of capital markets in financing Europe’s joint values. Pierre Gramegna, Managing Director of the ESM, emphasised that in these times of geopolitical turmoil and economic fragmentation, what Europe needs “is to act, act, and act”, which calls for more Europe, not less, to ensure that it remains a major economic force. Piotr Serafin, European Commissioner for Budget, Anti-fraud and Public Administration highlighted the EU’s role in financing policy priorities through its well-established issuer status in global financial markets, as well as the Commission’s proposals for new borrowing programmes to support Member States and EU partners under the EU’s next multi-annual budget. EIB President Nadia Calviño set out the importance of Europe as a beacon of stability and trust and the role of the EIB as the EU bank on standing the course on climate and financing Europe’s innovation, security and competitiveness.
The Seminar also included a number of high-level panels and fireside chats exploring the recent geopolitical and macroeconomic shifts, the current perspectives of European capital markets, the prospects for the euro as a global reserve currency, as well as the latest developments in sustainable finance and in advancing the Savings and Investments Union.
Bettina Orlopp, Chief Executive Officer, Commerzbank AG; Françoise Thoma, President and CEO Banque et Caisse d'Épargne de l'État (BCEE); Patrick Montagner, Member of the Supervisory Board at the European Central Bank (ECB); Valerie Urbain, CEO Euroclear; Julie Becker, CEO Luxembourg Stock Exchange; and François Villeroy de Galhau, Governor of the Banque de France were some of the distinguished speakers who shared their insights on these issues.
Video recordings / links for speeches of:
The EC Commissioner Piotr Serafin
The EIB President Nadia Calviño